HSE promises action against unsafe construction sites

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have started a series of unannounced visits to construction sites across the capital as part of an ongoing initiative to reduce the numbers of workers injured and killed.

The visits come as the HSE published figures showing there were 1,287 injuries and four workers died while working in construction during 2009/10.

The inspectors will be checking for proper planning in jobs which involve working at heights and that sites are well organised and workers have all required equipment and training,

HSE Principal Inspector Barry Mullen said: “A lax attitude to health and safety in one of the more dangerous industries is not acceptable, especially when many of the incidents are completely avoidable by taking commonsense actions and precautions.”

“As we’ve demonstrated in previous years, we will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers at risk.”

The HSE says falls while working above ground remains one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction sector in Great Britain, with more than five incidents recorded every day.